New Vatican nuncio to U.S. known for affable manner, sense of humor

Published: 2006-01-24

JERUSALEM (CNS) -- The new Vatican nuncio to the United States is known for his warm and affable manner, sense of humor and easy laugh in both Palestinian and Israeli circles. Italian Archbishop Pietro Sambi, who has served in Jerusalem since 1998 and will take up his new post in February, is an excellent choice for the nuncio in Washington, given his record of being open and ready to listen to people, said Franciscan Father Peter Vasko, president of the Franciscan Foundation for the Holy Land. "The expertise he has shown here with the Palestinians and the Israelis will go a long way toward dealing with the American hierarchy and American Catholics," Father Vasko said. In mid-January, Archbishop Sambi was honored at a series of receptions in Jerusalem, where he served as papal nuncio to Israel and Cyprus and papal delegate to the Palestinian territories.

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